A Companion to Calculus Book

Calculus of a different variable is a wonderful read. It was written by the genius Ron Larson. The plot is very intriguing. People might think because it is a math based book that the plot would be dull or even boring, however they'd be wrong.

The story has a terrific twist. >spoiler< Through the whole book we the reader are led astray believing that the answers we find are the only answers there are. However at the end of the magnificent journey that is this book we, the reader find that all the answers are in the back of the book. Looking back at it now after I have completed this masterpiece the twist changes the whole book. The story is also an allegory for life.

This story can be seen as an allegory for life because it parallels people's everyday struggle with it. We go through life day in and day out, wondering whether or not what we are doing is right. By the end of our lives however we look back on it and think "did I go through it the right way?" This simulates the book because when the end is reached one can look back and see if the answers they were seeking were in fact correct.

This book is not just for people with a love for math. Oh no. this book can be enjoyed by history and math lovers alike. In fact what might have been my favorite part of the book were the little tidbits of history sprinkled throughout. Learning about how Riemann came up with his special type of geometry that would later be used to find the areas under functions, or learning about Roll and about the genius behind his theorem.

This book from beginning to end kept me enthused and on the tip of my toes. I remember the nights that I huddled with it under my blankets with a flashlight just reading about how to find the area of a three dimensional shape, and how to apply the fundamental theory of calculus to everyday life.

In the end I would suggest this book to everyone I know. This book is not just an amazing read, but comprehensive in the knowledge of mathematics it provides. The book will keep you on your seat while teaching the reader advanced math techniques that can come in handy for the rest of the reader's life. In short Ron Larson is in my book a legend.